Restaurants

Darden Restaurants said Friday it agreed to sell Red Lobster and related real estate assets to investment firm Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion, shedding its worst performing chain to pay off some company debt.

In the cash deal, Darden will receive net cash proceeds, after tax and transaction costs, of about $1.6 billion. The Orlando-based restaurant company plans to use $1 billion to pay off debt and use the rest to buy back shares.

Even the iconic McDonald's french fry, a linchpin to the fast-food giant's multibillion-dollar success, is getting a second look as the company seeks new product hits.

On Thursday, the same day McDonald's announced that domestic sales were flat in April, the company confirmed to USA TODAY that it will begin testing seasoned fries -- dubbed Shakin' Flavor Fries -- on Friday in the Northern California and St. Louis markets.

On Tuesday, the burger chain will announce the March 17 national rollout of two new menu items to its salad lineup: an Asian Cashew Chicken Salad and a BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad. Also, Wendy's will announce plans to add more fresh veggies — cucumbers and red peppers — to its spiffed-up side salads,

Burger King is tweaking its Kid's Meals with fries that are less nutritionally naughty.

The burger giant Tuesday announced that its crinkle-cut Satisfries -- with 40% less fat and 30% fewer calories than McDonald's fries -- will immediately become the standard fries served in Burger King Kid's Meals nationally. Although BK charges slightly more for Satisfries with adult meals, it will not charge more for its Kid's Meals.